Tiny Tips: the best Starbucks drink to have before a performance

Do you love Starbucks, but never know what drink to get for your pre-performance coffee run?  In order to set yourself up for a good performance, choose something with carbs, protein, and the right amount of caffeine for you.  For most dancers over age 15, moderate caffeine is helpful to fueling a good performance.  Go with medium roast or 1 shot of espresso.  If you are under 15 or don’t tolerate caffeine well, go with decaf or something coffee-free.  Smelling and tasting peppermint can help you focus during the performance, and Starbucks offers both regular and sugar free peppermint syrups.  You can also choose from whole, 2% (default choice), and skim dairy milk, as well as soy and coconut milks to customize your drink. 

If you are getting a quick pick-me-up before a Nutcracker show, take advantage of Starbucks’ holiday menu and order a peppermint mocha (or peppermint hot chocolate if you don’t do caffeine).  Peppermint syrups are available year round, so you can order a regular coffee, hot chocolate, mocha latte, or mocha Frappuccino with peppermint syrup before any show any time of year.

Grishko DreamPointe pointe shoe review

Grishko’s latest innovation in pointe shoe technology has not been talked about too much.  Available in Europe since spring/summer 2015, this new shoe melds Gaynor Minden’s futuristic plastic shank design with traditional paste boxes and classic Grishko appeal into what really has potential to be “the perfect pointe shoe.”  (The DreamPointe is now my shoe.  I have replaced my Novas.)

Let’s start with basic specs.  The design is based on the Grishko 2007.  The DreamPointe has a tapered shape, but it is slightly less tapered than the original 2007 (the DreamPointe is shaped more like the Triumph).  The glue used to form the box is the new flexible quiet glue used on Novas and Miracles, not the “crackly brittle glue” of the original 2007.  The crown is higher than that of the original 2007, and the platform is larger all around (again more like the Triumph).  The wing is medium, and the vamp is medium-high.

For sizing, the DreamPointe is on the same sizing scale as the 2007, Miracle, and Nova (about 1.5 sizes down from US street size).  It is available in sizes ½ (fits approximately children’s size 11 to 12) to 8 (fits approximately women’s size 9.5 to 10) and widths X to XXXXX.  I felt most comfortable in a 4 XX, the same size I wear in Grishko Nova and 2007. 

The shanks offered are a little different.  “LM” or light medium is approximately the same as the “soft” shank offered for the Grishko Nova (or between the super soft and medium shanks offered for the 2007).  “LH” or light hard is harder, approximately the same as the medium shank offered for the Nova and 2007.  “LS” or light soft is available as a special order.  I assume this is somewhere between the ProFlex and super soft shanks in terms of hardness.

The big deal innovations with this shoe are the materials in the shank and platform.  Instead of a compressed particle board covered in glue, plastic mesh (think about what casts for broken bones are usually made of) forms the hard supportive layers in the shank.  The same stuff is in the platform of the shoe, so technically neither can wear out.  The box of the shoe is made with paste (albeit more flexible and advanced paste), so the shoe performs just like a regular Grishko shoe, not like an extra-springy Gaynor Minden.  The huge advantage to this shoe over one with a traditional cardboard shank is that it cannot be worn out.  The shoe does not get softer and softer with each wear; the shanks and platforms stay has hard as they were they day they were purchased.

Now, this does not mean an indestructible shoe.  The boxes can be worn out, though the paste seems to hold its shape for a pretty long period of time.  The satin can still rip off the platforms of the shoes, which can lead to deterioration of support and balance.  The plastic mesh material in the shank can snap, which leads to a decrease in support.  Pointe shoe glue can hold a snapped shank for a short amount of time, but it is not a long term fix.  My Grishko DreamPointes have lasted about 3.5 months during performance season, compared regular Grishko 2007s which last about 1 to 1.5 months during performance season.

If you are comfortable in a Grishko 2007, Nova, Triumph, or Maya in a soft or medium shank, I think you could be comfortable in a DreamPointe.  The semi-tapered shape makes the DreamPointe a fairly generic shoe, although dancers with super narrow or super wide feet probably will not find a perfect fit.  Also, dancers who need a very high wing or low vamp will not like the DreamPointe.  However, a high vamp with a medium wing and soft shank is a great combination to promote control and security, and a large platform makes balancing easier.  This shoe is also very lightweight, so it is easy to dance in.  An unfortunate drawback to such a light shoe is that it is delicate.  Larger dancers and dancers who “sit” in their shoes and put a lot of pressure on their shanks will snap them. 

I adore the DreamPointe.  I find it very easy and comfortable to dance in.  My ankle issues have left me crushing shoes on one foot and barely getting over them on the other.  The DreamPointe gives me a gentle, yet supportive and resilient shoe that lasts a long time and only costs about $2 or $3 more than any other Grishko shoe.  For me, it really is perfect. 

The DreamPointe is not yet available in the US.  As far as I know, no local retailers or US based websites stock it.  Grishko does stock the DreamPointe on their website (grishkoshop.com).  They will ship to the US, but all packages come from Russia and take about 4 weeks to come in the mail (no shipping charge or sales tax, though).  Bestpointe.com also ships the DreamPointe to the US, and they mail from Greece and the Czech Republic (also with no sales tax or shipping charge).  Packages from bestpointe take about 2 weeks to arrive.  I am currently ok with this because I am sure of my size (although I HATE driving to the post office to pick up foreign packages).  However, I do wish the DreamPointes would become available so that more dancers can experience this wonderful shoe!

Holiday gift-giving: merde gifts and more

If you are in a performance of The Nutcracker or another winter show, it can be little tough to figure out how to give gifts to your teachers and friends.  It is customary to give small gifts (candy, pencils, etc.) to your fellow dancers for luck on opening night of any show.  During the winter season, many people also like to give out Christmas or other holiday gifts.  How many gifts should you give out?  And to whom?  In this post, I answer basic questions and outline some ways you can navigate holiday gift giving and your winter performances.

What are Merde gifts?

The idea is to give your fellow dancers a little something to make them happy before the opening performance.  This custom applies to all shows, not just Nutcracker or winter programs.

 (In case you don’t already know, merde is French swear word that means poo.  Ballet and other dancers say it to each other before shows to mean “good luck.”) 

Are merde gifts necessary? 

Absolutely not.  If you are on a tight budget or think merde gifts are stupid (which they are), you can skip and go for holiday gifts only.  However, if you are in a company where everyone gives merde gifts, you may be seen as unfriendly if you don’t participate.   

What should I buy to give out as merde gifts?

Usually silly or fun things are a good and inexpensive choice. It is also a good idea to get a large quantity of merde gifts so you can pass them out to everyone in the company (some people, especially young kids, get upset when they see others receiving gifts and they are left out).  Some things I have received in the past are: toy dinosaurs, a mini rubber duck, candy (lots of times), a small Christmas ornament, Epsom salts, chapstick, and hand sanitizer. 

When do I hand out the gifts?

You must hand out merde gifts on opening night before the show or they are no longer merde gifts.

What are holiday gifts?

Holiday gifts are the things you would give your teachers and friends for Christmas or to celebrate the winter season.  It is ok to give these gifts to only your close friends.  However, it is a good idea to give a present to everyone in your class or everyone dancing with you in “waltz of the flowers” so you don’t leave anyone out (and if anyone asks you why they didn’t get a gift, it’s a lot kinder to say “I was only giving them to dancers in my class” rather than “I don’t consider you my friend”).

What should I get my friends?

 I like to use the “goodie bag” model when putting together gifts for my friends.  A few chocolates, a packet of ribbon and elastic, a lip gloss, and a couple of festive tea bags make a great goodie bag that is sure to delight everyone.  You can also get each friend an individual gift, like a small stuffed animal or piece of jewelry. 

What should I get my teacher?

For teachers, I recommend nice Hallmark cards with handwritten notes thanking them for teaching you.  If you want to give a gift, make it a gift card to the dancewear store or coffee shop (that crystal ballerina figurine may be tempting, but your teacher probably already has a lot of dance knick knacks). 

How much should I spend?

If you are passing out gifts in public (at the studio or in the dressing rooms at the theater), don’t spend more than about $10 on each person.  If you have a large, bulky, or expensive gift to give, do so in private.

Anything else about what to get?

 Unless your company is openly religious, don’t assume that everyone celebrates Christmas in a Christian way (or celebrates Christmas at all).  You don’t need to go out of your way to get your Jewish friend a menorah card, but be aware that giving her a nativity card may not be the most sensitive choice.  If you can find Nutcracker, ballet/dance, winter, or “commercial Christmas” themed gifts, they are the best for mass appeal. 

Don’t include candy or food containing nuts if your friends have allergies or braces. 

It’s also really sweet to know your friends’ favorite colors or other likes and base their gifts around their preferences.

When should I give out holiday gifts? 

Mid-December or as close to Christmas as possible. 

Can holiday gifts be combined with merde gifts for one compact gift giving experience? 

Yes, if the timing is right.  If your show is in December, give out all your gifts on opening night (you can also just give out holiday gifts on opening night and skip separate merde gifts if you wish).  If your winter show is really early (like Thanksgiving weekend) and you will continue to see your friends and teachers at the studio through December, give out your merde gifts on opening night and wait to give out holiday gifts until closer to Christmas.

Any last thoughts?

If someone gives you a gift (of any kind) and you don’t like it, thank that person anyway and take the gift home with you.  Then you can throw it away or re-gift it to someone outside the company.  DO NOT give it to someone else in the company; I guarantee the gift-giver will notice and he or she will not be happy.

Tiny Tips: Don’t let Thanksgiving weigh you down

Nervous about all the yummy food at Thanksgiving making you feel bloated and sluggish?  Avoiding those feelings is actually quite simple.  Don’t overeat, and don’t forget to exercise.  You can taste each dish on the table without eating a huge portion of each one.  Put only a small serving of each side on your plate, and take larger portions of lean protein (white meat turkey) and veggies (green beans, salad).  For dessert, nix the crust on your pumpkin pie and eat just the filling to satisfy your sweet tooth, get good vitamin A and beta-carotene, and avoid a carb-coma. 

For the rest of the month, participate in the “Planksgiving” challenge.  Plank for a minimum of 1 minute 30 seconds per day, and aim to increase your time each day.  A few hours after your turkey day dinner, go for a walk, play some family football, or escape to your room and do a quick barre so you don’t feel like you took in too much without burning it off.

Holiday travel tips for dancers

Travelling this holiday season?  In this post I will go over some tips to keep you in top dance form during your winter vacation.

1.  If you are driving to your destination, frequently move your legs and feet while sitting in the car (if you are the driver, of course you will need to be careful).  Stop every 2-3 hours to walk around outside.  Take the time to stretch a little (standing up) and pop any joints that feel stiff. 

2.  If you are flying, you should also be sure to move around frequently.  It is absolutely fine to stand up and walk down the aisle every hour or so (as long as you are polite, don’t worry about inconveniencing your neighbors, as a dancer you must take care of your body and do what you can to prevent blood clots).  The plane’s bathroom is a good place to do simple standing stretches like clasping your arms above your head and leaning side to side. 

3.  For all travelers, make sure to drink plenty of water and other healthy fluids like 100% juice and tea.  Avoid drinking too much soda (1 is ok, but stop there).  Try to eat healthy snacks.  Pack your own if you can, or do your best to choose the most wholesome options of what is available.  Many fast food restaurants have salads or grilled chicken sandwiches.  Starbucks has oatmeal, granola bars, juice, and sandwiches.  At the vending machine or convenience store, look for trail mix or beef jerky instead of chips and candy.  Eating and drinking well will help ward off motion sickness as well as the “blah” feeling that comes when dancers are inactive for long periods of time.

4.  No matter your method of travel, do not lift heavy luggage incorrectly.  If you can’t lift something properly by yourself, ask for help before you hurt yourself.  Use your legs, not your back, when putting suitcases in the trunk.  Use rolling suitcases when possible. Flight attendants or fellow travelers can assist you when putting items in overhead bins.

5.  Once you arrive at your destination, try to maintain your usual diet, hygiene, and sleep routines.  It’s ok to have a couple of decadent meals or a late night or two, but try to celebrate in moderation.  Indulging too much will only set you back when you get home.

6.  Keep up your exercise.  Sightseeing on foot can take the place of your usual cardio.  Keep yourself in dance form by doing a few stretches and barre or similar exercises each night before bed.  If you are staying at your destination for a week or more, see if you can take any open dance classes at a local studio (many have drop in rates and “first class free” deals).

7.  If you have time, stop by a dancewear store in the city you are visiting.  If you are going somewhere like New York City, make a point to go to the Capezio flagship store and the Yumiko boutique.  Almost all cities have local dancewear stores, and they will probably have products different from what you have seen at home.  If you do pointe and are in the market for a new shoe, it can be refreshing to get a fitting with a new fitter at a different store.

8.  Finally, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself on vacation.